Dietary Protein Requirement for Young Far Eastern Catfish Silurus asotus

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimum dietary protein requirement of young far eastern catfish Silurus asotus. Five isocaloric diets were formulated to contain graded levels of protein (35, 40, 45, 50, and 55%). Triplicate groups of fish (initial body weight of 44 g) were hand-fed to apparent satiation for 9-weeks. Weight gain and specific growth rate of fish fed 55% protein diet were significantly higher than those of fish fed 35 and 40% protein diets, but not significantly different from those of fish fed 45 and 50% protein diets. The feed efficiency of fish fed 50 and 55% protein diets was significantly higher than that of fish fed 35, 40 and 45% protein diets. The protein efficiency ratio of fish fed 40% protein diet was significantly higher than that of fish fed 45, 50 and 55% protein diets, but not significantly different from that of fish fed 35% protein diet. The dietary protein level significantly affected whole body lipid and moisture contents. The results of this study suggest that the 45% protein in the diet is optimal for maximum growth of young far eastern catfish weighing in the range of 44 to 227 g.